Automobile lock



J. W. MILLARD AUTOMOBiLE LOCK July 13 1926.

Filed p 12, 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 HQI.

ilnwmmrz JOHN flQ/FWE July 13 19260 1,532,037

.11. W. MBLLARD:

AUTOMOBILE LO CK Patented July 13, 1926,

UNITED STATES JOHN WARREN MILLARD, OF UPPER DARBY, PENNSYLVANIA.

AUTOMOBILE LOCK.

Application filed September 12, 1922. Serial No. 587,684.

It is an object of my invention to provide simple locking means which may be applied to any motor vehicle having an eX POSGtl steering post shaft. As hereinafter described; my invention includes the combination with such an exposed shaft; of a locking disk, primarily split transversely to its axis and having one or more lock holes extending through it, parallel with its axis, and a pair of jaws adapted to clamp said shaft; said jaws being connected, in such clamping position, by screw bolts and nuts having means to prevent them from being released; one of said aws having a keyway g ging a key seated in said shaft; a link, securely pivoted to some stationary portion of the vehicle, and having at its free end a hole adapted to register with such a lock hole in said disk; and a padlock adapted to detachably connect said disk and link through said lock holes. In the form of my invention hereinafter described; said disk is reinforced by another, which I term the drum, which is dished to form a cup-shaped recess to contain said jaws and is primarily split transversely to its axis; said two disks being riveted together with. their respective split portions in transverse relation to ea h other, and said first disk being further reinforced by a yoke plate which straddles said shaft and is riveted to both sections of said first disk upon. opposite sides of the split portion thereof; whereby said disk may be rigidly and immovably connected with said shaft, after the latter is assembled in its vehicle; so that devices constructed in accordance with my invention may be sold. as accessories to be applied by owners of such vehicles after the latter are otherwise com pleted. However, it is to be understood that locking means constructed in accordance with my invention as hereinafter claimed, may be embodied in motor vehicles, in the course of primary construction of the latter. Moreover, I prefer to employ padlocks which, in addition to the ordinary construction and arrangement of such locks,

are provided with. an armor casing, rendering the look more resistant to felonious attack. n

My invention. includes the various novel features of construction and arrangement hereinafter more definitely specified.

In said drawings: Fig. 1s a fragmentaryseetion'al'elevatronof parts'of an auto sh own mobile showing a form of my invention applied thereto.

Fig. II is a fragmentary sectional elevation of the left-hand side of the steering post shaft and its appurtenances, indicated in Fig. I, but on a larger scale.

Fig. III is a plan view of a modified form of my invention.

Fig. IV is a fragmentary diametrical sectional view of said. form of my invention in III, taken on the line IV, IV. V is an inverted plan View of said form of my invention shown in Figs. III and IV. V

Fig. VI is a fragmentary sectional View, full size, taken on the line VI in Fig. V.

Fig. V II is a side elevation of my improved padlock, showing its armor partly in section.

Fig. VIII is an end view of said padlock with its armor.

Referring to Fig. I; 1. is the motor of the vehicle, conveniently an internal combustion engine having the tail shaft 2, and 3 is the steering post shaft, extending in a plane parallel with said shaft 2 but inclined with respect to the axis of said shaft 2, in the usual manner. Said motor 1 is rigidly connected with and supported by the chassis frame of which the side member 5 is a pa Keeper links 6, 7, 8 and 9 are respect-ivory permanently pivotally connected to fulcrum bearings 11, 1.2, 13 and 14-, on axes parallel with said steering shaft. I find it convenient to form said bearings as bolts which may be rigidly connected with respective stationary parts of the vehicle structure by respective nuts 16, 17, 18 and 19. Each of said keeper links 6, 7, 8 and 9 has, at its free end, a lock hole 2]. adapted to register with a corresponding hole or holes 22 eccentrically located in the looking disk 23 which, in the form of my invention shown in Fig. I, is a unitary piece encircling said steering post shaft 3 and rigidly connected therewith by the key 24 so that, when the hasp 26 of the pad lock 27 is inserted through the registered lock ioles 21 and 22 of any one of said keeper links; said steering post shaft 3 is thus held stationary and rendered inoperative, to pre- 'vent theft or unauthorized use of the vehicle thus equipped. However, when said lock 27 is removed, said shaft 3 is freed to be operated. in the ordinary Way.

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Although such a locking disk as esieniplified at 28 may be applied to any portion of an exposed steering post shaft. either in front or back of the vehicle dash board; it is less conspicuous if attached beneath an automobile hood, and the latter location has the additional adval'itage that the hood may also be locked to prevent unauthorized access to the locking disk and its appurtenances.

Although I have referred to the attachment of said disk to an exposed portion of a steering post shaft; it is to be understood that the other portions of such a shaft may be surrounded by a stationary tube either in front of or behind the dash board.

In the form of my invention shown in Figs. III to VI inclusive; I have found it convenient to provide a locking disk which is primarily split transversely to its axis to forin oppositely counterpart sen1iannular sections, and has one or more lock holes 22 extending through it, parallel with its axis; said holes being conveniently arranged in a circular series, as shown in Fig. V. Each of said sections of the disk 30 is provided with a clamping jaw block 31, rigidly connectedtherewith and having a semicylindrical seat 32 for clamping engagement withsaid shaft 3. I find itcon- \"e'nient to rigidly connect said jaw blocks 31 with said sections 30 by means of rivets 34L secured therein, as best shown in Fig. VI. The inner ends of said rivets 34 are extended to form dowels which fit in corresponding holes 36 in the sen'iiannular sections of the disk 38, which 1 term the drum, which. is dish d to form a cup-shaped recess to contain said jaw blocks 31 and is primarily split transversely to its axis; said disk 30 being reinforced by rivet-ing said two disks together with their respective split portions in transverse relation to each other, conveniently by the circular series of rivets -10.

I also prefer to further reinforce said disk 30 by means of the yoke plate 42 which straddles said shaft 3, as best shown in Fig. V and is riveted to both sections of said disk .30, by respective rivets 4:3 and .As best shown in F VI, said yoke plate 4:2 has pockets 47 formed in it to receive the rounded heads of said rivets 34K and thus pre vent access thereto.

As indicatedin Figs. II and VIII; I prefer to provide said padlock .27 with an arn1or casing d8, (:0 venientl y formed of pieceof primarily cylindrical steel tubing of suitable .dianieter, which is'partly collapsed and bent to the form best shown in'Fig. VIII; and then has itsends clinched .over lthe body of said lock to render the latter, more .i esis'tant to felonious attack than f not thus protected. .l luchan rnior casmg may be Le uployed w th pen iciilar ad- 50, and said disks through hardened or case hardened to. prelessee? vantage to shield a padlock body of the type formed of two oppositely counterpart sections which are intended to be perinae nently connected by rivets 50 and which may, otherwise, be attacked by splitting such lock body sections apart with a chisel or drawing out the rivets.

The form of my invention shown in Figs. ill to VI inclusive may be readily applied to a previously assembled motor vehicle, as follows: The clan'ip blocks 31 are secured upon the steering shaft 3, conveniently by means of bolts 52 fitted through corresponding holes in said blocks, as indicated in Figs. III. and IV, and provided with spring washers and nuts 5%; theends of said bolts bein bifinrcatcd, conveniently by dianwtrically uni-cutting them, so that they be spi'cadapart, like cotter pins, as best shown at in Fig. HI, to thus lock said nutsh lin clamped position, with a hole 22 in a disk section 30 In such position as to register with the hole 21 in one of said keeper links v6, so that when the lock 2. is applied, said shaft 3 is held in the desired stationary position.

Although said disk-30 nay be thus securely frictionally engaged with the shaft 3; I prefer to provide the key 72 i engaging said shaft and one of said clamp blocks 31, to supplement such frictionalengagement by positi .e connection of said parts. If such a ke is to be employed: the clamp blocks and their respective disk sections may be initially ren' o ably clamped on said shaftincrely to dcterniine the desired position thereof, which may be marked on said shaft. Thereupon, saidclanip blocks may be removed and a key way cutin the shaft to engage said hey ,-.-Jl;. and said clan ip blocks be then pernianently engaged with said shaft and the bifurcatedcnds of said bolts 52 be spread as shown in III, to locksthe nuts Said yoke plate I t d, astride said shaft 3, as indicated in l V, and ridly connectedwith the two. half sections of said disk 3,0 by neans of the five rivets43 ,and (if), to cover and protect the heads of the rivets 3% as above described.

Thereup'on, the two halves of the disk 38 may be placed in the position shown in the drawings, with the splitportion thereof at right anglesto the split portion of said disk be permanently connected by the rivets l0. @{f course, said disk 38 serves to protect said bolts and nuts 54 fro n being tampered. with. Said disk 38 has l ck holes 22 registered withthelock ,hol 2 in said disk. 30. as indicated.

I prefer to form said disks 3O and 38 and their ppnrtenances above described, includingtlie keeper links and the fulcriunbearings for the latter, ,offinetal .Wliich' inay ,be

ifent l swin r messagin v ever, I do not desire to limit myself to the use of such metal as said parts may he made suiliciently massive to resist attack even if unhardened, and it is unnecessary to harden the disks if the keeper links are made of hard metal in the U-shaped channel form shown in Figs. 1 and H; for such form secludes and protects the engaged portion of the disk 23 from felonious attack.

As far as I am aware; it is broadly new to provu a pivoted keeper lin connected with a stationary part of a vehicle, as means to prevent the operation of the steering mechanism of a vehicle, without limitation to the coinhination of such a link with a disk which is split to facilitate its con iection with a steering post shaft. llierefore, I do not desire to limit myself to the precise details of construction and arrangement herein set forth, as it is ohvions that 'zrious modifications may he made therein without departing from the essential features of my invention, as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

'1. Means adapted for locking :3, motor v hicle steering shaft in inoperative position, including a link pivoted upon a fu cruin bearing adapted to he secured in stationary p :sition upon said vehicle; a locking disk, primarily split transversely and having a circula series of lock holes extending; through it, pa 'allel with its axis; a pair of jaw hlocks, respectively rigidly connected with the sections of said disk and adapted to oppositely ,ngzage said shaft; holts eonnecting said jaw blocks upon respcctivelyoposite sides of said shaft, and having); their ends bifurcated; nuts engaging said bolts with said aws rigidly engaging said. shaft; said l'iifurcated ends of said hoits being spread to prevent removal of said nuts; and loclriahle means adapted to detachahly conneet the free end of said link with said disk.

llfleans adapted for looking a motor vehicle steering shaft, in inoperative position, including a link adapted to he pivoted upon a stationary portion of said vehicle; a looking disk, primarily split transversely and fitted together upon said shaft; a yoke plate straddling said shaft; means rigidly conuse said yoke plate with the sections of 'I .r, with the latter rigidly connected with shaft; and lockable means adapted ze chahly connect the free end of said i; w Eh said disk. 8. lllcans adapted for locking motor vehicle steering shalt, in inoperative position, including a link adapted to he pivoted upon a stationary portion of said vehicle; a locking disk, primarily split transversely, and fitted together upon said shaft; means retaining said disk in rigid relation with. said shaft, including another disk, primarily seeps? 'vonary fitted taming said said disks having a circular series lock holes extending through them par allel with their common and lockable means adapted to d tachahly connect the e end. of said lint; with said disks, includino' a padlock having a hasp titted to engage said lock holes.

, 5 adapted for looking a motor veu ring shaft, in inoperative position, .ncluding a link adapted to he pivoted upon stationary portion of said vehicle; a locl' ,w disk, primarily split transversely, and together upon said shaft; means resing; said disk in rigid relation with said uuding pair of jaw blocks, re

ri 'lly connected with the secl disk, and ha 'ing rivet stud proend at opted to oppositely engage aolts connecting said jaw hlocks respectively opposite sides of said d having their ends bifurcated; said bolts with said jaws said shaft; said. bifurcated s'fd bolts being spread to prevent L spective y said nuts; a yoke plate straddling said shaft; means rigidly connecting said yoke plate mil-i the sections of said disk; another disk, primarily split transversely, and fitted upon said shaft; said second disk having a hollow drum portion aCh-ipted to inclose said jaw blocks, and holes adapted to register with and receive said rivet stud ends; means rigidly connecting said disks: said disks having a circular series of lock holes extending through them parallel with their common axis; llhit worth key engaging said of said jaw blocks and preventing relative rotation of shaft and disks; and a pad lock having a hasp titted to selectively engage said loch holes, and adapted to detachably connect the free end of said link with one of said disk lock holesx 6 liieans adapted for locking a motor vehicle steering shaft, in inoperative position, including a link adapted to he pivoted upon a stationary porvion of said vehicle; a looking disk, primarily split transversely, and .tted together upon said shaft; means retaining disk in rigid relation with said means rigidly connecting said inf;

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, and adapted to oppositely engage said shaft;

bolts connecting said jaw blocks upon respectively opposite sides of said shaft; nuts engz ng said bolts with said jaws rigidly on ng said shaft; means normally preventing removal of said nuts; a yoke plate straddling said shaft; means rigidly connecting said yoke plate with the sections of said disk; another disk, primarily split transversely, and fitted upon said shaft; said second disk having a hollow drum portion adapted to inclose said jaw blocks, and holes adapted to register with and receive said stud ends; means rigidly connecting said disks; said disks having a circular series of lock holes extending through them parallel with their common axis; means preventing relative rotation of said shaft and disks; and a padlock having a hasp fitted to selectively engage said lock holes, and adapted to detaehably connect the free end of said link with one of said disk lock hole -v.

'2. Means adapted for locking a motor vehicle steering shaft, in inop rative position, including a link adapted to he pivoted upon a stationary portion of said vehicle; a looking disk, primarily split transversely, and titted together upon said shaft; means retaining said disk in rigid relation with said shaft. including bolts extending upon resuectively opposite sides of said shaft, and having their ends bifurcated; nuts engaging said belts with said jaws rigidly engaging said shaft; said bifurcated ends of said bolts bein sn'ead to Jrevent removal of said nuts; another disk, primarily split trans versely. and fitted upon said shaft; said second disk having a hollow drum portion adapted to inclose said bolts and nuts; means rigidly con-acting said disks; said disks having a circular series of lock holes extending through them parallel with their common axis; means preventing relative rotation of said shaft and disks; and a padlock having a hasp fitted to selectively engage said lock holes, and adapted to detachably connect the free end of said link with one of said disk lock holes.

8. hie-ans adapted for looking a motor vehicle steering shaft, in inoperative position, including a link adapted to be pivot-ed upon a stationary portion of said vehicle; a looking disk, prin'iarily split transversely, and fitted together upon said shaft; means retaining said disk in rigid relation with said shaft, including a yoke plate straddling said shaft; means rigidly connecting said yoke plate with. the sections of said disk; another disk, primarily split transversely, and fitted upon said shaft; means rigidly connecting said disks; said disks having registered lock holes extending through them parallel with their common axis; and a padlock having a liasp fitted to selectively engage said lock holes, and adapted to detachably connect the free end of said link with said disks.

9. Means adapted for looking a motor vehicle steering shaft, in inoperative position, including a link adapted to be pivoted upon a ;-;tationary portion of said vehicle; a locking disk, primarily split transversely, and

ed together upon said shaft; means resaid disk in rigid relation with said halt; another disk, primarily split transversely, and fitted upon said shaft; means rigidly connecting said disks; said disks having registered lock holes extending through themparallel with their common axis; and a padlock having a hasp fitted to selective 1y engage said lock holes, and adapted to dot chably connect the free end of said link with said disks.

in testimony. whereof, I have hereunto signed my name at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, this seventeenth day of August, 1922.

JOHN i ARREN MILLARD 

